Hockey: Block Tackle forehand

Turned over the ball? No big deal! Produce a team that are ready to work twice as hard to win the ball back!

Split the players up into two groups for a relay type exercise which starts with one player from group 1 running with a ball to the goal on the half way line, trying to score a goal.

As soon as player 1 has had a shot at goal a player from group 2 runs with a ball to the other goal to try to score a goal.

The player that had the first shot (player 1) has to try and defend against the player from group 2. When this player scores or loses the ball to the defender the next player starts from group 1 and the player that has just taken the shot becomes the new defender.

The player that had the first shot and then defended (player 1) goes to the back of theirre queue.

Players work in pairs in this drill - attacking and defending pair.

The player who starts with the ball has to dribble around the cone and then try to score a goal on the half way line.

At the same time one player from the defending pair also runs around the cone. Once the player with the ball has run around the cone the drill is live.

The defending team are trying to dispossess the player with the ball and score against the keeper and the last defender.

The drill continues until one of the team has had a shot at one of the goals.

2 v 1 situation using a quick change of pace to eliminate the defender

Coaching Points

Pass the ball in to the defender and get it back, picking the ball up on the move

The attacker takes the ball to right then quickly turns his feet to the left and drags the ball across his body

Note the change in pace-this is key to creating the space to get past the defender

The attacker without the ball follows the movement of the attacker with the ball